Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Operations / Chief Operating Officer

at Centre for Effective Altruism

🏢 About Centre for Effective Altruism

The Centre for Effective Altruism (CEA) is a unique nonprofit that coordinates and supports the global effective altruism movement, which uses evidence and reason to determine the most effective ways to benefit others. Working here means contributing to a community dedicated to solving humanity's most pressing problems through rigorous analysis and collaborative action, making it ideal for those who want their work to have maximum positive impact.

About This Role

As Director of Operations/COO at CEA, you'll oversee and optimize operations for programs like conferences, local groups, and online resources that build and support the effective altruism community globally. This role is impactful because it directly enables the growth and coordination of a movement focused on evidence-based solutions to major global challenges, from existential risks to global health.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve coordinating with remote team members across time zones to plan an upcoming EA Global conference, reviewing metrics for local group engagement, optimizing online resource workflows, and facilitating discussions on operational improvements that align with effective altruism principles. You'll balance strategic planning with hands-on support to ensure CEA's programs run smoothly and scale impact.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Centre for Effective Altruism Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years in operations leadership, ideally in nonprofit or community-building contexts, with experience managing distributed/remote teams.
  • Demonstrates a deep understanding of effective altruism principles (e.g., cause prioritization, evidence-based giving) and can articulate how they align with CEA's mission.
  • Has hands-on experience supporting diverse programs simultaneously, such as organizing large conferences, fostering local chapters, and managing digital resources.
  • Exhibits a collaborative, growth-oriented mindset with a track record of improving team processes and fostering 'alliance mentality' in mission-driven environments.

📝 Tips for Applying to Centre for Effective Altruism

1

Explicitly connect your past operations experience to CEA's specific programs—e.g., describe how you've managed conference logistics or supported volunteer-led groups, not just generic operations.

2

Demonstrate your alignment with effective altruism by referencing concepts like cause neutrality, longtermism, or evidence-based decision-making in your application materials.

3

Highlight remote collaboration skills, as CEA is fully remote; mention tools or practices you've used to coordinate teams across time zones.

4

Tailor your examples to CEA's values ('purpose-driven work, collective growth, continuous improvement'); avoid overly corporate or profit-focused language.

5

If you have experience in effective altruism community roles (e.g., local group organizing, EA forum contributions), emphasize this to show insider understanding.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your operational philosophy and how it aligns with CEA's mission of supporting a global, evidence-driven altruistic community.", "Specific examples of managing programs similar to CEA's (conferences, local groups, online resources) and the impact achieved.", "How you've fostered collaboration and growth in teams, reflecting CEA's values of 'collective growth' and 'alliance mentality'.", "Your personal connection to effective altruism principles and why you're motivated to scale CEA's work."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → CEA's key programs (e.g., EA Global conferences, Local Groups Support, EA Forum) and their recent impact reports or updates.
  • → Effective altruism concepts and current debates (e.g., via resources like Effective Altruism.org, 80,000 Hours, or the EA Forum).
  • → CEA's organizational structure and team (e.g., leadership bios on their website) to understand operational context.
  • → Recent CEA blog posts or announcements to gauge their current priorities and challenges.
Visit Centre for Effective Altruism's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you optimize operations for CEA's remote, global programs to better support community growth?
2 Describe a time you improved a team's processes or culture in a mission-driven environment—how does this relate to CEA's values?
3 What effective altruism cause areas (e.g., AI safety, global health) do you find most pressing, and how might that inform your work at CEA?
4 How would you balance supporting diverse programs (conferences, local groups, online resources) with limited resources?
5 Share an example of collaborating with stakeholders who have differing views on altruistic priorities—how did you find common ground?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing solely on generic operations achievements without linking them to community-building or nonprofit contexts.
  • Failing to demonstrate knowledge of effective altruism—this suggests misalignment with CEA's core mission.
  • Overemphasizing top-down leadership; CEA values collaboration and 'alliance mentality,' so highlight facilitative over directive approaches.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Centre for Effective Altruism!

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